Calgary political watcher says Rob Anders won't get same support if he runs for new Tory nomination

Rob Anders, the current MP for Calgary West, has expressed interest in running for the Conservative Party nomination in the new riding of Bow River after losing the nomination in Calgary Signal Hill. Political analyst Duane Bratt says he's unlikely to find the same level of support. (Larry MacDougal/Canadian Press)

"There was a base of support he had within the [Calgary West] riding," said Duane Bratt, chair of policy studies at Mount Royal University. "He was able to usually deal with the riding executive that were supporters of his. All those things came crashing down when Rob Liepert defeated him and defeated him decisively."

Bratt says it's not only the voters who may not support Anders in the new riding — it could also be the Conservative Party.

He says he is skeptical Anders could win in the new riding and that the party could step in to block his run for the nomination in Bow River.

"I would think that at a certain point, all parties need to decide that if you've lost one nomination race, that should be it," Bratt says. "You can't just, you know, try to find a venue to get yourself in."

Anders remains the MP for Calgary West until the next federal election.

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